"No Choice Between Reform and Livelihood" Choo Mi-ae Advocates "Coexistence Theory," Will She Challenge for Presidency?

"No Reform, No Livelihood" Former Minister Chu's "Companion Theory"
On LH Speculation Allegations, "Special Law Must Be Enacted"
Warns Former Prosecutor General Yoon, "Do Not Cause Historical Regression"
Some Raise "Presidential Run Speculation"
Former Minister Chu, "Will Step Up If Considered Useful"

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is seen greeting supporters as she leaves the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province after the Ministry of Justice Minister's farewell ceremony held on the afternoon of January 27. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae has advocated the 'companion theory' of prosecution and media reform alongside livelihood policies. She argues that without establishing fairness and justice through reform, livelihood policies cannot succeed.

Former Minister Chu recently proposed measures regarding the speculation allegations involving employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) on new town lands, and warned former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who has been in seclusion since stepping down, saying, "If history regresses, I will not stand idly by."

There is a view that Chu’s recent actions are behind-the-scenes preparations for a presidential bid. It is also anticipated that she may attempt to differentiate herself as a candidate to counter former Prosecutor General Yoon.

On the 10th, in a post on her Facebook, Chu emphasized, "The dichotomy of reform or livelihood is merely a fear of reform instilled by vested interests," and stressed, "There is no livelihood without reform."

Regarding some ruling party members’ claims that livelihood policies should take precedence over prosecution reform, she strongly criticized them, saying, "Dividing livelihood and reform to sow discord between the public and reformist ruling forces, and to create strife within the reform camp, is merely a stratagem to weaken the power of reform."

She explained, "Reform and livelihood are not separate destinations where one must be chosen over the other; rather, reform exists as a means to reach the destination of livelihood," adding, "Reform and livelihood are inseparable."

Saplings are planted on land near the recycling facility in Gwarim-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi Province, where allegations of speculation by employees of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) have been raised. / Photo by Yonhap News

This is not the first time Minister Chu has preached the 'companion theory' of reform and livelihood through social networking services (SNS).

Previously, regarding speculation allegations involving some LH employees in the 3rd new towns such as Gwangmyeong and Siheung in Gyeonggi Province, she argued, "The reason the public feels 'I am becoming poorer' is ultimately due to real estate speculation," and stated, "In a society trapped in the rent-seeking snare, deepening inequality and polarization, even some public officials have fallen into moral insensitivity, which became the background of the LH incident."

She also proposed specific countermeasures, saying, "Temporarily halt all land development suspected or expected to involve speculation in other new towns and launch a fact-finding investigation," and urged, "The National Assembly should expedite the enactment of a 'Special Act on the Recovery of Proceeds from Real Estate-Related Crimes and Enhanced Punishment for Insider Trading' to fundamentally block land speculation."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is giving a farewell speech as he leaves the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after resigning on the afternoon of March 4. / Photo by Yonhap News

She also emphasized that she would not tolerate actions that regress prosecution reform. In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' in March, she warned former Prosecutor General Yoon, who stepped down recently and is recording high approval ratings in various presidential polls, saying, "He should not run (for president)," and, "If he runs, it would be the birth of a political prosecutor like a political soldier."

She added, "I have no interest in former Prosecutor General Yoon," but emphasized, "I have my own heavy responsibility for the progress and development of history, and I believe we must not stand idly by if that history regresses."

Some view these remarks by former Minister Chu as behind-the-scenes preparations for the presidential election. It is explained that her actions may be aimed at positioning herself as the 'right person to promote reform and livelihood' in contrast to potential opposition candidates like former Prosecutor General Yoon.

Yoon Tae-gon, head of the political analysis office at The Moa, recently appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "(Former Minister Chu) has achieved everything, so the only next step left is to challenge the presidency," emphasizing, "Even if she fails, that challenge is all that remains."

He added, "In Chu’s case, she rides on Yoon’s rise. Although Yoon Seok-yeol rose because of Chu Mi-ae, the so-called hardline supporters of the ruling party may rally behind Chu because of Yoon," and predicted, "The more Yoon rises, the more Chu can frame herself as 'That person has issues,' and 'I am the one to catch Yoon Seok-yeol.'"

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is paying her respects at the April 3rd Peace Park in Bonggae-dong, Jeju City, on the afternoon of March 17. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, former Minister Chu has given reserved answers regarding speculation about her presidential candidacy. On March 17, at a meeting with reporters at Jeju 4.3 Peace Park, she said, "I am thinking about various things (regarding the presidential election)," but added, "If I am useful, I can step forward, but can I just step forward anytime?"

In an interview with a media outlet the same month, she said, "The prosecution, which has enjoyed unchecked power for 70 years, is like a cancer patient with layers of pus," and expressed regret, saying, "Unfortunately, I only opened the belly but did not perform the surgery to cut out and sew up," indicating she stepped down without completing prosecution reform.

When asked if she plans to run in the next presidential election, she replied, "Now is not the time to reveal plans," and emphasized, "In the Moon Jae-in administration, dedication comes before personal political ambition. I gave up the last general election and devoted myself to the task of prosecution reform, which blocks the entrance to all reforms."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.